Soto Named Minor League Player of the Week and Minor League Roundup

By Sean Tuttle

The Indians named Akron Aeros starting left-handed pitcher, Giovanni Soto, as the Indians Minor League Player of the Week for July 15-22. Soto went 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA (14.0IP, 6H, 3R/2ER, 6BB, 7K) in two starts, including a nine-inning no-hitter on July 15th against Altoona in which he allowed one unearned run, three walks with six strikeouts in a 2-1 Akron win. It was just the second no-hitter in Akron Aeros franchise history and the first ever at Canal Park.

On July 20th, Soto suffered a tough loss, tossing five innings, allowing six hits, three runs (two earned), three walks with a strikeout in a 3-2 loss to Richmond. On the season he is 6-7 with a 3.72 ERA (106.1IP, 95H, 52R/44ER, 42BB, 88K) in 19 starts. Soto currently is tied for first in the Eastern League in complete games with two and shutouts with one.

Soto was acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 29, 2010 in exchange for infielder, Jhonny Peralta. The Carolina, Puerto Rico native, was selected by Detroit in the 21st round of the 2009 June draft after originally being selected in the 46th round of the 2008 June draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2010, he led the Midwest League in shutouts with two, was tied for first in complete games with two, fourth in ERA (2.93) and was named to the Midwest League All-Star team for Class-A Lake County.

He missed some time in 2011 with elbow inflammation. That year he went 4-4 in 18 appearances, 15 with Single-A Kinston and three in the Arizona Rookie League. In the two leagues, Soto pitched 69 innings, allowed 60 hits, 30 runs on 24 earned for an overall 3.13 ERA. He gave up five home runs, allowed 22 walks, and struck out 71 batters.

In his first year at Double-A Akron, Soto is 6-7 in 19 starts. He has two complete games, pitched 106.1 innings, gave up 95 hits, allowed 52 runs with 44 earned for a 3.72 ERA. He has given up eight home runs, allowed 42 walks, and struck out 88 batters.

This young southpaw appears to have all the tools and ambition of climbing through the ranks. Look for him to remain with the Aeros throughout the duration of this season and the beginning of next year, as the Tribe will most likely take their time promoting him any further. If he keeps pitching with the command he has been displaying, we most likely will see a promotion to Triple-A Columbus next season, and possibly a debut in Cleveland in 2014. With the trade deadline closing, it may also be necessary to note that Soto could be a key part of a trade to get a big name bat, if not this season, next year as well.

Minor League Roundup

As of July 24th, the Columbus Clippers (AAA) are 55-49 overall, currently sit in second place, and are nine and a half games out of first. They are currently riding a six game winning streak. Infielder, Jared Goedert, has hit safely in 18 of his last 20 games (.366 AVG., 28-76, five doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI’s). Right-handed pitcher, Corey Kluber, is 6-1 in his last eight starts and currently leads the IL in strikeouts with 125. Utility player, Vinny Rottino, has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games (.309 AVG, 17-55, five doubles, four home runs, and 18 RBI’s). Left-handed pitcher, Chris Seddon, has thrown at least six innings in 14 of his last 15 starts with the one exception being in game two of a doubleheader on July 12th when he tossed four shutout innings. Seddon is 8-4 with a 3.19 ERA over that span (98.2IP/35ER). Catcher, Matt Pagnozzi’s two home runs and five RBI’s on July 23rd, both tied a career high.

The Akron Aeros (AA) are 62-41 overall, currently sit in first place, nine and a half games ahead of second, and on a two game winning streak. Infielder, Matt Lawson, has hit safely in 19 of his last 20 games (.380 AVG, 30-79, nine doubles, two triples, and eight RBI’s). Over his last 31 games, Infielder, Adam Abraham, is batting .322 (37-115) with nine doubles, seven home runs and 21 RBI’s to raise his batting average from .213 to the current .252 mark. Over his last 33 games, infielder, Juan Diaz is batting .310 (39-126) with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 24 RBI’s to raise his batting average from .225 to the current .259 mark.

The Carolina Mudcats (A) are 49-53 overall, 17-15 in the second half of the season. They are currently tied for second place, three games out of first, riding a three game losing skid. Right-handed pitcher, Jordan Cooper, is 5-0 in his last six appearances with a 1.54 ERA (23.1IP/4ER). Infielder, Tony Wolters, over his last 26 games is batting .352 (37-105) with seven doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 14 RBI’s. Outfielder, Anthony Galls, has hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games (.313 AVG, 15-48, six doubles, 10 RBI’s). Outfielder, Bo Greenwell, has hit safely in 14 straight games (.373 AVG., 22-59, three doubles, a triple, a home run, and eight RBI’s).

The Lake County Captains (A) are 46-53 overall, 15-15 in the second half of the season. They currently sit tied for sixth place, and are four games out of first. Left-handed pitcher, Shawn Morimando, has thrown at least five innings in 10 straight starts and is 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA (55.0IP/19ER). Over his last 23 games, Infielder, Jerrud Sabourin, is hitting .333 (27-81) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 RBI’s. Right-handed pitcher, Felix Sterling, won his first game on July 22nd since June 8th at Dayton. Infielder, Jose Ramirez, is eight for his last 17 at bats over his last four games.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers (A) are 19-17 overall, currently sit in fourth place, are two and a half games out of first, and riding a three game winning streak. Mahoning Valley defeaTed Williamsport last night by a score of 9-3 as they beat out 17 hits. Outfielder, Tyler Naquin, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a walk, a double, and an RBI. Designated hitter, Joey Wendle, went 2-for-5 with a run scored, a home run, and two RBI’s. Outfielder, Hunter Jones was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Infielder, Erik Gonzalez, went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI’s. Outfielder, Aaron Siliga, went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a double. Right-handed pitcher, Luis Morel (2-1, 3.86), earned the win, going five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, one earned, a walk with four strikeouts.

As of July 24th, the Arizona League Indians (Rookie) are 13-12 overall, currently sit in second place, and are two and a half games out of first. The AZL Indians fell to the AZL Cubs last night by a score of 9-2. Infielder, Nick Hamilton, went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Infielder, Dorssys Paulino, went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Outfielder, D’vone McClure, went 1-for-4 with a run scored. Right-handed pitcher, Dillon Howard (0-4, 6.33), took the loss, going four innings, allowing seven hits, nine runs, two earned, and a walk with two strikeouts.